Johanns Backs Bill to Improve Transparency of Senate

Press Release

Sen. Mike Johanns today signed on as co-sponsor of legislation to end the practice of secret holds in the U.S. Senate. The initiative would require Senators to notify their respective party leader in writing if they intend to object to consideration of legislation or a nomination. This notice would then be published in the Congressional Record two days later. The current requirement is a six day notification period and is often avoided completely.

"The idea that Senators can conduct the business of the people in secret is highly objectionable and must come to an end," Johanns said. "The American people vote us into office, pay our salaries, and are potentially affected by every nomination or piece of legislation approved by the Senate. They have every right to know who is blocking certain actions and expect accountability and transparency from the U.S. Senate."

Background:

* The bill was introduced by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

* The current law on holds, enacted in 2007, requires Senators to disclose in the Congressional Record within six days after placing a hold on a bill.
o Often times, Senators evade this requirement entirely.

* All Senate holds are required by law to be published in the U.S. Senate calendar of business. This portion of the calendar, entitled, "Notice of Intent to Object to Proceeding" is currently blank.

* Yet holds exist on both nominations and legislation.
o On March 22, 2010, the Senate attempted to consider S. Res. 452, Sen. Johanns' resolution regarding beef trade with Japan that has almost 30 bipartisan co-sponsors.
o One Senator objected, yet almost two months later, no notice of the objecting Senator appears in either the Congressional Record or the U.S. Senate Calendar of Business as required by law.

Source